49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) ran for an NFL-record 181 yards and two touchdowns, including this 20-yard scoring run, in last week's victory over Green Bay. He also threw for 263 yards with two TDs.

Turner, the big running back, and the Atlanta offense want to hold the ball and limit Kaepernick's time on the field in Sunday's NFC Championship Game.

The Falcons have seen enough in Kaepernick's eight starts to respect the versatile quarterback with the long stride and strong right arm.

Kaepernick comes to Atlanta after running for 181 yards - an NFL record for a quarterback - with two touchdowns in last weekend's victory over Green Bay. Kaepernick also threw for 263 yards with two touchdowns. He became only the third quarterback, after Otto Graham and Jay Cutler, to run and throw for at least two touchdowns in a postseason game.

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McClain's picks

San Francisco (12-4-1) minus-4 at Atlanta (14-3) 49ers 23-20

Baltimore (12-6) plus-9 at New England (13-4) Patriots 27-20

Last week: 3-1 (.750) straight up; 2-2 (.500) vs. spread

Season: 171-92-1 (.650) straight up; 107-147-10 (.424) vs. spread

It is little wonder the Falcons are impressed, even after facing such other dual-threat quarterbacks as Robert Griffin III, Cam Newton and Russell Wilson this season.

"I think he's just a different guy altogether," Weatherspoon said. "He's a taller guy, obviously. He broke the record last week, so that makes him special and different. I think he has a lot more speed. Russell is more of a quick guy. Colin is a faster guy."

Wilson and Griffin are scramblers. Kaepernick looks more like a 200-meter sprinter with his unusually long stride.

"That's the thing," Weatherspoon said. "You look at him and you think long striders are not fast, but then you look and he's covering a lot of ground and passing a lot of people. You can tell he can run. Speed won't be a surprise to us. We've watched the tape. We'll be ready to go."

The 49ers don't have to be told they will bring an unusually gifted quarterback to the Georgia Dome. In only half of a season, Kaepernick has given the San Francisco offense a facelift.

"He's super-fast, athletic and he can throw the ball," 49ers running back LaMichael James said. "Once he breaks the pocket, he's always looking downfield. He's looking to throw the ball more than run the ball. But once he takes off, he's faster than a lot of running backs and linebackers. He's an incredible athlete."

'Run where they're not'

Kaepernick has avoided the big hits that have made it difficult for such other running quarterbacks as Griffin and Michael Vick to avoid injuries.

He said his strategy is "run where they're not."

"You want to run away from where the defensive players are," Kaepernick said. "When they get close, get down."

The Falcons' defense has reason to worry about the matchup. Atlanta survived its 30-28 divisional playoff win over Seattle last week despite Wilson's fourth-quarter dominance. The Falcons led 27-7 at the start of the quarter but trailed 28-27 before winning on Matt Bryant's late 49-yard field goal. Wilson passed for 385 yards with two touchdowns and led Seattle with 60 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Atlanta coach Mike Smith said he is preparing for the 49ers' "traditional offense that we're used to seeing" as well as the pistol formation with read-option plays that Kaepernick ran in college at Nevada.